T5 2.5 Diesel Auto to Manual Conversion

[MPDE]

Had enough of the 6 speed auto box in my beloved Multivan. If anyones going for class action for these supposedly "service free" boxes, then I'm in. Three years of dealer servicing, box never touched and now its just so much metal and melted plastic. Mechanic at ATA (www.autotransaustralia.com.au ) in Sydney (one of the only places in Sydney that will even touch this box for repairs), says he sees one a week that has failed. Once they reach 85K to 120K without an oil change then its Hasta La Vista, Baby.

Ah well.

Anyway, I've put the feelers out for all the stuff I need to convert it to a manual and I should be seeing some prices in soon. As long as it comes in at under around $6000 I should be ahead. (recon auto box is $4500 plus labour plus plus plus). I'm looking at doing it myself, I've found some US sites where people have done it, but I would really like to know if anyone in Oz has converted one of these. My mechanic said manual boxes were available for around $1600. I think the one I need is the 0A5. Does this sound correct? what manual boxes do the 2.5 litre 2005 Multivans normally come with? I've heard that 5 and 6 speed manual boxes are available, but I suppose it all depends on what I can get in the time frame. Any ideas anyone? I will be posting a few pics here and there as the conversion proceeds (if its possible that is).

BTW thanks for those that responded to my earlier post!

[Transporter]

That's correct the OA5 is 6-speed manual for T5. But wouldn't it be cheaper to sell what you have and buy manual T5? How ever, if you go ahead with the swap I wish you found a T5 wreck somewhere, so you get all the bits you might need.

Cheers and good luck.

[Golf Loon]

I have converted a couple, of T4s its not that hard and you end up with a better van at the end of it. I reckon you will pay $2500 for the box, unless you use an earlier box. The pedal box and shifter should cost you under $1000, driveshafts are the same and wiring is not hard to mod.
Any questions feel free to ring me at work.